Go woke!
OPINION: The Hound reckons the powers at Landcorp (or as they/them like to call themselves, Pāmu) are coming under the microscope with the new government in place.
Landcorp, no longer threatened with sales of some of its farms, has reported an after-tax profit of $51.9 million for the year to August 31.
Electioneering National had proposed selling some farms but Labour wouldn’t hear of it.
Its 2017 annual report shows asset values rose to $1.81 billion in 2016-17, an increase of $27.9m on 2015-16. Debt fell from $219.6m to $206.9m.
Recently re-branded as Pāmu Farms of New Zealand, the company’s chief executive Steve Carden says the 2017 result is very pleasing and reflects higher returns from milk, beef and venison.
“As we enter the halfway point of the financial year our business is tracking well. However, any downward pressure in commodity prices as we head into 2018 will impact our result.”
Carden says the company has focused on cutting debt and reinvesting in the business recently as part of its overall strategy. Ongoing solid trading conditions indicate another profitable year ahead, he says.
“Pāmu is looking at how we can enhance shareholder value, not just by being a price-taker at the farmgate, but by adding value right along the food chain.
“Agriculture needs to be changing and evolving in what it produces in response to consumer demand,” said.
“Whether partnering with Spring Sheep Milk Co to offer a unique product range, or providing high quality wool to NZ Merino for the innovative brands they work with... Pāmu is always looking at ways to drive value and innovation.”
Carden says the company is going from strength to strength and the last few years of intensive refocusing is now bearing fruit.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.